Le Brunch Cafe Nanaimo — Restaurant in Nanaimo

I don’t usually leave this type of review but I was propelled to do so after the experience I just had today at this café. I was looking forward to try this spot as I heard great things about it from people I know, and the food was in fact really good! The service is a different story unfortunately. I walked in to place an order to go, and after ordering two breakfasts the gentleman walked away from me - communicating what I wanted to the kitchen which is fine, but took a while for him to come back, then when he did I asked for 2 lattes as well and he walked away again, I was trying to get his attention to give the details of my coffee order (what kind of milks I would like, flavours etc) , it took a bit and was a confusing process to place the order, then while starting to make the coffees he was stopping in the middle and going to connect with other tables, just felt a bit hectic, meanwhile the café wasn’t busy. I was waiting to pay and was looking at the desserts in the pastry case in the meantime, so while the gentleman was near the till area (beside the case) I asked enthusiastically what the cake flavour was, he responded he didn’t have time for this right now, which left me feeling like an inconvenience for potentially ordering something else. Though a minute later 2 girls arrived in the line behind me and the same guy walked right to them to let them know about all the different pastries they offered, the cake flavours, the nanaimo bars etc. I wondered why I wasn’t getting this kind of service ? I felt very weird about it and stepped outside to wait for my order, felt like a bother and the energy was strange. I came back to pay when it was ready and brought it home. I then realized I didn’t get the soup I ordered so walked back to the restaurant, I totally get it happens sometimes it’s all good. When I walked in I waited to be approached by the gentleman as he was busy with a table, he went to the till and without looking at me or saying Hi said ‘I don’t really have time for this or for you’. What kind od approach is this, Why ? I’m not quite sure, I felt awful in that moment not understanding where that was coming from, why I was being addressed like this as a customer coming in respectfully to enjoy a great breakfast (again, there were only few people in the café). I was honestly baffled , and just responded I’m here to get the soup that I ordered but didn’t get, I got the soup and left, feeling embarrassed. I felt very unwelcomed in a way I’ve never felt in any other businesses before, and truly didn’t understand why I was receiving such a bad service. The only thing I could think of afterwards is that maybe the annoyance came from ordering take out instead of dinning in? I’m not sure but if that’s the case I would rather have been told no take outs today instead of the experience I got.

The Spanish Frittata was delicious with the buttery focaccia bread, and so were the veggy bennies, so it’s disappointing as the food was excellent but because of the service provided it has deterred me of wanting to ever go back again...

I do not recommend this establishment if you wish to be treated with dignity and respect. We walked in and the waiter with a french accent, whom we assumed to be the owner, immediately started complaining to us about the previous big group that had babies, and how loud and exhausting they were to deal with (pro tip: we're not interested in kicking off our dining experience by hearing complaints from you about other customers). We ordered a latte, although one of our guests didn't get a chance to specify their drink order, and a plain black coffee was brought for them instead, which was not ordered (we let it go). I thereafter asked if it was possible to cook up bacon and eggs, or an omelette. The owner pretentiously scoffed and stated that this was a "brunch place" and they don't serve eggs. Funny, since we can order any and all the types of eggs we want at any brunch establishment around the world, including "Le Grand Brunch" at the Ritz in Paris, where they also actually have respectful customer service. After the owner left the table, I stated to my fellow guests that I decline to eat here, politely excused myself while encouraging them to stay and enjoy their experience, then walked across the street to another cafe. I later learned that when the owner returned, he first interrogated our table about where I had gone, and then berated the table for me "being rude" by having simply left to eat elsewhere. That was the last straw for them as well and they declined to order food and came to join me across the street. In summary, if you're looking for a hole in the wall with a poor guest experience from a pretentious pseudo-savant that talks behind your back, then you've found your spot!

Update to owner's response: The owner is being untruthful. I was in a very good mood and didn't respond, or raise my voice after I was "scoffed" at by the server. There was no scene created at all. I simply just politely excused myself from the restaurant. My behavior was very discreet in fact. The only people who were treated with disrespect was me, my fellow guests, and the previous table with children whom you complained about after they left. You can tell be your awful response that under the pretentious veneer of your restaurant you're actually quite malevolent people who have contempt for your patrons behind their backs. Very unfortunate, if...

A vegan and a meat eater walk into a brunch place... now usually that's a nightmare waiting to happen for one of the two but not this time.

As a die hard spinach hater I was admittedly a wee bit scared when I saw the spinach on my vegan benny. I am not sure what they did to it but it was both tasty and not the texture I expect for spinach (which for me is a good thing). It was a medley of eggplant, mushroom, and some spinach topped with Just Egg (for those unaware that is a vegan egg replacement), some sort of vegan hollandaise, and some nice little sprouts for garnish. It's impressive if you can make me order spinach once and come back for more. They achieved that feat, I've had it twice and will perplexingly enough for a spinach hater, order it again.

Most vegans are a bit scared to try a restaurant that is not for vegans because a lot of the time vegan options are an afterthought. You can tell it wasn't just an afterthought. This place wants everyone to be able to get brunch and leave happy because they have options for pretty much everyone from gluten free, to vegan, to vegetarian to your average brunch connoisseur.

I will admit I tried this place a few times before my review because the first month they had a few bugs to work out with the vegan menu. I promised I'd come back when they worked the kinks out because they had pretty clearly put in extensive effort and I appreciate that kind of energy. I can quite confidently say they did work everything out so I hope any vegan who went before they perfected the benny gives them another shot if they haven't already.

After the first time, I have gotten the vegan benny twice. They did a fantastic job both times. One time I got an admittedly weird but frankly great cold soup made from watermelon which in a hot July day was definitely what the doctor had ordered.

I went with my parents one time and my partner another. My dad is a man of few words so I didn't get much out of him but my mom said they made the best quiche she had ever had which is pretty high praise from my mom. My partner got the duck confit benny and I think he had a religious experience.

Definitely going to have to go again. Awesome place for diverse dietary needs but more than that, it's just a solid...